MONTREAL - Sûreté du Québec investigators have arrested two men in connection with the theft of a tractor-trailer carrying a tiger and two camels last month en route to an Ontario zoo.

The men, ages 23 and 44, were arrested Tuesday following a search at the home of one of the suspects in St. Edmond de Grantham, about 95 kilometres east of Montreal.

Investigators found traces of the animals in one of the farm buildings, police say.

Further arrests could be made in coming days, SQ Sgt. Ronald McInnis said.

The motive for the theft is part of the investigation and could not be disclosed at this stage, McInnis said.

Jonas, the 3-year-old tiger, and camels Shawn and Todd, both 5, disappeared June 18 from the parking lot of a motel in St. Liboire, about 20 kilometres east of St. Hyacinthe. The animals were being hauled back from a circus in the Maritimes to their home at the Bowmanville Zoo, just east of Toronto.

The zoo paid out a reward to the tipster who led them June 21 to the three missing exotic animals, which were found safe, well-fed and still in their trailer, in St. Edmond de Grantham.

At least one of the suspects is expected to be charged in court in St. Hyacinthe Wednesday with theft and possession of stolen goods. Charges against the second suspect have yet to be decided.

Anyone with information about the theft of the animals is asked to call investigators at 1-800 659-4264.